Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 January 2025
Sri Vijaya Puram resident and successful aquapreneur Mr. C. Arjun is set to receive a prestigious honour from the Hon’ble President of India during the 76th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi.
Mr. Arjun’s journey began in 2021 when he ventured into freshwater ornamental fish culture by establishing a startup that imported 50 varieties of commercially valuable ornamental fish from Chennai. However, the fledgling business faced significant hurdles, including a staggering mortality rate of 70–80% among the imported fish. The high mortality rate was primarily due to inadequate management practices and a lack of knowledge regarding disease prevention and treatment protocols.
Recognizing the challenges, a team of experts from ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), including Dr. J. Praveenraj, Dr. K. Saravanan, and Dr. R. Kiruba-Sankar, extended their technical expertise to support Mr. Arjun. The team provided guidance on crucial aspects such as quarantine protocols, water preparation for aquariums, and comprehensive disease management strategies.
With their assistance, Mr. Arjun adopted advanced practices, including the use of potassium permanganate and sodium chloride dip treatments, significantly reducing the mortality rate to just 5%. This remarkable turnaround not only saved his business but also positioned him as a role model in the field of aquaculture.
Recognizing this inspiring success, ICAR-CIARI documented Mr. Arjun’s achievements and submitted his story to the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). The submission earned national recognition, culminating in an invitation for Mr. Arjun to be honoured by the President of India.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr. C. Arjun acknowledged the critical role played by ICAR-CIARI, particularly under the guidance of its Director, Dr. Eaknath B. Chakurkar. He credited their unwavering support for his success and the national recognition of his efforts.
The recognition of Mr. Arjun’s achievements on a national platform highlights the transformative potential of technical guidance and innovation in aquaculture, inspiring others in the industry to follow suit.